Just a few things about “just"

Today’s English
September 6th, 2017

One of the most frequently used words is just.  Just is just used in several meanings as follows:

1. Just = recently
A. Just now he left for home.
B. I met him just now.

2. Just = simply
A. You can just make a call whenever you are free.
B. It’s just a matter of ego. 

3. Just = exactly
A. You have just done what I expected in this case.
B. Ya, it’s just what I mean.

4. Just = only
A. I said this just for information.
B. Don’t take it seriously. It’s just for fun.

5. Just = really
A. The programme was just wonderful!
B. I’ve just no money in my pocket.

If we want someone to wait for a while, we can use the phrase “just a minute/second".  If you don’t complete your work now but soon it will be completed, then use the phrase “ not just yet.”
1. Just a minute. Principal is calling me.
2. Have you made arrangements for the programme? Not just yet.

When there are happy moments in your life, then your “life is just a bowl of cherries”, isn’t it?  You might have seen beautiful people who may but lack intelligence, certain abilities, etc.  You may call such a person – “just another pretty face.”
1. Don’t forget that life is just a bowl of cherries.  Enjoy it.
2. What about Sophia? She’s just another pretty face.

When something happens surprisingly, unexpectedly or by chance, then, use “it just so happened”.  If somebody is ignorant about something and they don’t know what to do in a particular situation, they “just fall off the turnip truck.”
1. It just so happened that my joining date and retirement date both fell on the same day.
2. He didn’t know anything about excel.  He was blinking his eyes as if he just fell off from turnip truck.

(Interviewer: just for information I’m asking. What’s your highest qualification?

Candidate: 8th std first class.

Interviewer: Do you just have the qualification for this job?

Candidate: not just yet.

Interviewer: How will you then just face problems in the workplace?

Candidate: no sir. I always take life just as a bowl of cherries.

Interviewer: any working experience?

Candidate: just a fresher.

Interviewer: Why do you just come to the interview and just waste our time?

Candidate: just for fun, sir.

Interviewer: ………….?!)